Display cabinet with modular slide door

ABSTRACT

A display cabinet with modular slide door is adapted to house a video display device. A cabinet top is spaced above a base, and is generally aligned with the base. The door is slidably connected with the top and adapted to selectively conceal and reveal the display device. The cabinet may have left and right module sections, each of a modular width. The door preferably has the same modular width and may slide from one section to the other and alternatively reveal or conceal each section. The cabinet may further have a center section of two modular widths and a second modular slide door. The center section may define a display space. The modular slide doors may alternatively slide to conceal the display space, revealing the left and right module sections, and slide to reveal the display space, concealing the left and right module sections.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to furniture cabinets that are directed to housinga video display device. More specifically, a display cabinet withmodular slide door of the invention is directed to concealment of thedisplay device with a horizontally, sliding panel door.

Video display devices, including thin panel LCD and plasma screens,compact LCD and DLP rear projection displays, and front projectiondisplays, are well accepted and commonly seen in many home and officesettings. These displays are also typically a visually large andimposing element, if not in fact physically large, in whatever roomenvironment they may be located. Thus, one's attention may beinappropriately drawn to the display, merely by its presence, even whenit is not active. These displays may also present an undesired contrastin the aesthetics of a room environment in which they are located;clashing with the room decor.

While a large video display device must be readily seen in use, it isnot always a desired visual element in many room environments when notin use. Thus, one may appreciate a desire to conveniently access andconversely conceal a display device in a manner in which the displaydoes not impose upon its environment when not in use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a display cabinet with modular slide door of the inventionprovides a cabinet with a defined display space, that is adapted tohouse a display device and to conveniently conceal and access thedisplay by sliding manipulation of the modular slide door.

The display cabinet has a top spaced above and generally aligned with abase. A first or left panel extends upward from the base toward the top.A second panel is parallel with and spaced a modular distance from theleft panel, defining a left or first modular section. A right panel maybe parallel with and spaced a modular distance from the second panel,defining another modular section, namely, a second or right modularsection. A door extends between the base and the top and is connected insliding engagement with one of the top and the base. The door is also ofa modular width. Thus, the door is slidable to alternatively cover orreveal one or the other of the modular sections with the door presentinga closed appearance in either position.

In another aspect of the invention, a center modular section may bedefined between the left and the right modular sections with the centersection defining a display space. Thus, a third panel may be interposedbetween the second and the right panels, be parallel with and spaced twomodular distance from the second panel, defining the center modularsection. A second door may extend between the base and the top and beconnected in sliding engagement with one of the top and the base. Thesecond door is also of a modular width. Thus, the prior or first doorand the second door may slide toward one another into a first positionin which the doors conceal the center modular section and reveal theleft and right, side sections. Alternatively, the doors may slide awayfrom one another into a second position in which the side sections areconcealed and the center section display space is revealed. The doorspresent a closed appearance in either position.

Further, an aspect of the invention is modular assembly,interconnection, and disassembly of the sections for manufacture andtransport. Another aspect of the invention is that the base may beadapted to be supported by a floor. The base may also be adapted to besupported by a storage cabinet. The storage cabinet may further beprovided with audio and video equipment and the like and may include aprovision of an optical control signal repeater mechanism.

These and other features and benefits of the invention will berecognized by one having ordinary skill in the art and by those whopractice the invention, from this disclosure, including thespecification, the claims, and the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of a display cabinet withmodular slide door of the invention, showing sliding doors in a centerposition;

FIG. 2 is the view of FIG. 1 with the doors in respective sidepositions; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross section view, partially in elevation,showing a known coupler;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view thereof, both ends are noted to appearthe same in elevation; and;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, side elevation view thereof, partially inelevation.

FIG. 7 is a cross section view along line VII-VII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevation view of detail VIII of FIG.2;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, enlarged, perspective view of detail IX of FIG.2;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the center section base storage cabinetof the view of FIG. 7, showing an infrared control repeater system;

FIG. 11 is a fragmented front elevation view thereof, showing therepeater system; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmented top plan view thereof, showing the repeatersystem.

FIG. 13 is a cross section view of a side section hutch-top, showing alighting installation.

FIG. 14 is a front elevation of the display cabinet of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation of the display cabinet of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 16 is a front elevation of the display cabinet of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred and exemplary embodiment 100 of a display cabinet with amodular slide door according to the invention is generally shown in thedrawing figures and discussed below. More specifically, the displaycabinet 100 is shown supported above a floor by a cooperating storagecabinet 200, which together define a break front hutch, with the displaycabinet being a hutch top (FIGS. 1-3).

The display cabinet hutch top 100 and the lower storage cabinet 200 maybe provided with various configurations for upper and lower storage,including the hutch top shelving as shown. Alternatively, the hutch topand lower storage may be configured to accommodate speaker placement,including insert panels that are transparent to sound. While such aninsert panel 210 is shown as provided for a center channel speakerplacement (FIGS. 1-3), sound transparent insert panels may be providedaccording to a user's preferences, including in selected storage doorsfor left and right channel speaker placement of a multi channel orsurround style audio system.

More specifically as to a lower storage cabinet center section 204, oneof various storage configurations is adapted to house supportingequipment for a display device that is housed in the display space 120.The supporting equipment may include various audio and video electronicsignal processing components and speakers. The sound transparent insert210 is again noted at the top center section of the lower storagecabinet. Further, enhancements in consideration of the supportingequipment may include provisions in the nature of a power strip 212,which may provide power conditioning and electronic componentprotection, and a hidden optical remote control signal repeater 214,which may enable optical remote control access of electronic componentshoused in the storage cabinet 200.

The display cabinet 100 has a top 102 that is spaced above and generallyaligned with a base 104. A first or left side panel 112 extends upwardfrom the base toward the top and extends between a front 106 and anopposing back 108 of the display cabinet. A second panel 114 is spaced afirst distance from the left panel. The second panel is parallel withthe left panel and also extends upward from the base 104 toward the top102 and between the front 106 and the back 108. The left and the secondpanels define a left section or module of the display cabinet.

A third panel 116 is spaced a second distance from the second panel 114,so the second panel is interposed between the first and the thirdpanels. The third panel is also parallel with the first panel 112,extends upward from the base 104 toward the top 102, and extends betweenthe front 106 and the back 108. The second and the third panels define acenter section or module of the display cabinet.

More specifically, a display space 120 is defined between the second 114and third 116 panels and the base 104 and top 102. The display space isan open space that is adapted to receive a display device 140. Thedisplay device may be any of various presently known or yet to bedeveloped display devices, including thin panel LCD and plasma screens,compact LCD and DLP rear projection displays, and front projectiondisplay screens or panels.

Finally, a fourth or right side panel 118 is spaced a third distancefrom the third panel 116, so the third panel is interposed between thesecond 114 and the fourth panels. The fourth panel is also parallel withthe first panel 112, extends upward from the base 104 toward the top102, and extends between the front 106 and the back 108. The third andthe right panels define a right section or module of the displaycabinet.

The display cabinet is provided as shown with at least one modular slidedoor and more preferably a pair of doors 122 and 124. The slide doorsmay be connected with the display cabinet 100 in sliding engagement andmay be suspended from the top with a sliding door trolley mechanism 130as shown (FIG. 8). Thus, the doors may slide laterally across the frontof the display cabinet to cover the side display cabinet sectionsseparately (FIG. 2) or cover the center section, and more specificallythe display space, together (FIG. 1).

The trolley 130 has a track 132 and a pair of cooperating slides 134 foreach door of conventional hardware as is known to one having ordinaryskill in the art. The track extends along a length of the displaycabinet 100 and between the opposing left and right side panels 112 and118, respectively. A generally C-shaped channel that opens downward maybe used for the track as shown. The back of the channel, which isoriented upward as installed, may be variously adapted for attachment tothe top 102. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the back of the track isa flattened segment. The flattened segment is provided with an array ofopenings that are disposed along a length of the track. The openings areadapted to receive screw fasteners that extend into the top, therebyattaching the track to the top. The slides 134 may also be provided withvarious configurations that cooperate with the track 132, connect with adoor (122 and 124), and provide sliding of the door along the tracklength. Further, a guide 136 may be provided on the base 104 near eachof the second panel 114 and the third panel 116 to guide a bottom edgeof each respective door 122 and 124. As shown, each guide may be a tabthat extends upward from the base and is received in sliding engagementinto a cooperating groove that is provided in the bottom of the door.

One having ordinary skill in the art understands the concepts and thedetails of door slide devices, including the following, which are a fewvariations. The track 132 may be constructed of any suitable structuralmaterial by any process that is appropriate to the chosen material.While the track is shown as a downward opening C-shaped channel, thetrack may also be configured as a sideways opening C-shaped channel or aJ-shaped channel according to personal preference or manufacturingbenefits. The slides 134 may also be constructed of any suitablestructural material by any process that is appropriate to the chosenmaterial. The slides may further include rolling wheel-like members orskid members. Further, the guides 136 may be constructed of any suitablestructural material by any process that is appropriate to the chosenmaterial. The guides shown are upward extending tab members that arecaptured into the doors. An alternative configuration may include a tabmember that abuts an outward or face surface of the door or an upwardopening channel member into which the door is received and captured insliding engagement.

Considering again that the doors may slide laterally inward across thefront of the display cabinet to a first position in which the doorscover the center section together (FIG. 1) and that the doors may slidelaterally outward across the front of the display cabinet to a secondposition in which the doors cover the side display cabinet sectionsseparately (FIG. 2), one understands that the center section extendsalong about half the length of the display cabinet 100. Thus, the seconddistance is about half the length of the display cabinet and a remainingabout half the length of the display cabinet is divided between the leftand the right side modules. While the third distance, between the thirdand the fourth panels, may be different from the first distance, betweenthe first and the second panels, one having ordinary skill in the artappreciates an aesthetic desirability of having each of the first andthe third distances the same. Having a common or modular width acrossthe side sections also yields fabrication benefits in minimizing thenumber of unique components required and increasing use of duplicatecomponents.

More specifically in the design example shown and considering the leftdoor 122, the door has a first door edge 126 that is adjacent the secondpanel 114 when in the first position and the door extends toward thethird panel 116 to an opposite second door edge 128. The first door edge126 is preferably flush with a surface of the second panel that facesthe left panel 112. The same arrangement is noted regarding the rightdoor 124 in mirror image and relative to the third panel 116, however.

The left door 122 second door edge 128 is adjacent the second panel 114when in the second position and the door extends toward the left panel112 to the opposite first door edge 126. The second door edge ispreferably flush with another surface of the second panel 114 that facesthe third panel 116. Further in the design example shown, the first dooredge 126 is preferably flush with an outer surface of the left panel112, which surface faces away from the display cabinet. Thus, the firstdoor aligns with and fully overlays the display cabinet left module withthe opposing door edges, 126 and 128, flush with outer panel surfaces ofthe module. Again, the same arrangement is noted regarding the rightdoor 124 in mirror image and relative to the third panel 116, the rightpanel 118, and the right module, however.

Understanding the relational geometry of the doors 122 and 124 with thedisplay cabinet 100 and its various respective components as suggestedabove, one having ordinary skill in the art will also understand thatthe doors constantly conceal a little more than half of the displaycabinet. If the panels 112-118 had no physical thickness, then the doorswould cover exactly half of the display cabinet. The panels do havethickness, however, which has a subtle and significant influence uponthe relational geometry of the doors. A further influence of the samenature includes a foreseeable modification in which the doors do notoverlay the side panels and abut them instead.

In another aspect of the invention, the left 142, center 144, and right146 sections of the display cabinet 100 may comprise three separatepieces of furniture and be modular components of the display cabinet.Again, the display cabinet 100 preferably is supported above a floor bythe storage cabinet 200. The cooperating storage cabinet therefore mayalso have corresponding left 202, center 204, and right 206 modularstorage sections.

One who fabricates or otherwise uses the invention may, therefore,segment the track 132 according to the segmenting of the display cabinet100. The track may further be adapted with segment couplings as isunderstood by one having ordinary skill in the art. One who uses theinvention may, in the alternative, choose to incorporate the track as acoupler to secure the display cabinet modules together. In thisvariation the track may be provided as a unitary item or as an assemblyof track lengths. A manufacturer may find that two or three modularsections of track may be adapted to securely tie together the displaycabinet sections and to provide advantages in at least one offabrication and assembly.

The left and right side display cabinet modules and storage cabinetsections may further be respectively mirror image components, as shown,or may be identical and are substantially similar either way. As shown,addition of trim molding 208 on opposing end surfaces of the left andright components distinguish them from being identical. Further, withthe display cabinet 100 being an assembly of three modular components,one having ordinary skill in the art understands that the second 114 andthe third 116 panels discussed above comprise abutting panel portions ofthe left and center sections and the center and right sections,respectively.

In consideration of convenient manufacture, transportation, andinstallation, the display cabinet 100 and cooperating lower storagecabinet 200 are preferably provided in modular form as shown. Thus,abutting sides of the side modules 142, 146, 202, and 206 and the centersection 144 and 204 may be adapted to accommodate alignment andfastening of the modules or sections together. Alignment of the modularor sectional components may be enhanced with a corresponding peg 220 andaperture arrangement, which one having ordinary skill in the artunderstands.

The modular components may further be interconnected or fastenedtogether with various couplers, including a known screw coupler 230 asshown in drawings FIGS. 4-6. Each coupler is a two part device with amale or bolt part 232 and a cooperating female or nut part 240 . Thebolt part has a head 234 and a threaded leg 236 that extends away fromthe head to a terminal end 238. Each nut has a head 242 with a tubularshaft 244 extending away from the head to a terminal end 246. Thetubular shaft 244 is internally threaded to cooperate with the threadedleg of the bolt in screw thread engagement. Each of the abutting sidesof the display cabinet components are provided with pairs of assemblyapertures 250 that are positioned for mutual alignment when thecomponents are arranged and positioned in their final position for use.With the assembly apertures 250 aligned, the tubular shaft 244 of a nut240 may be inserted to extend into a selected assembly aperture and acooperating bolt 232 may be inserted to extend through an alignedcorresponding assembly aperture so the bolt and nut may meet and bescrew threaded together. As the nut and bolt are screwed together, therespective components are drawn tightly together and the arrangement ofcomponents is secured, becoming a unified display cabinet assembly asseen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In another aspect of the invention, a side module 142 and 146 of thedisplay cabinet 100 may be provided with lighting (FIG. 13). Any ofvarious lighting configurations may be used. A conventional, downwardilluminating, recessed can, lighting fixture 260 is shown. The morenotable feature is that the power for the lighting is connected withpositioning of the respective slide door 122 or 124. For example, aswitch 262 may be located and mounted upon the side module so the lightis turned off when the door is in the second position, covering the sidemodule. While the switch is conspicuously shown in the drawing, a morediscreet may be used in practice. Lighting may also be provided in thecenter section 144, although this would commonly be contrary to theutility of the display space 120.

One having ordinary skill in the art understands that the displaycabinet 100 is a piece of furniture that is assembled of variouscomponents, including the above panels, top, and base. Each componentmay be fabricated of any suitable material and employing methodsappropriate to the material. Further, the cabinet components may beinterconnected with various suitable methods or connectors. Materialstechnology and fabrication methods appear to develop and change fairlycontinually. One having ordinary skill in the art has knowledge ofsuitable materials and of effective methods for furniture fabrication,each of which is ancillary to the present invention of a configurationof a display cabinet with modular slide door.

One having ordinary skill in the art and those who practice theinvention will understand from this disclosure that variousmodifications and improvements may be made without departing from thespirit of the disclosed inventive concept. One will also understand thatvarious relational terms, including left, right, front, back, top, andbottom, for example, are used in the detailed description of theinvention and in the claims only to convey relative positioning ofvarious elements of the claimed invention.

1. A display cabinet that is adapted to house a video display device,the display cabinet having a front and an opposing back and having aslidable door that is adapted to selectively conceal the display device,the cabinet comprising: a base; a top spaced above the base, the topbeing generally aligned with the base; a first panel extending upwardfrom the base toward the top and extending between the front and theback; a second panel spaced a first distance from the first panel,extending upward from the base toward the top, and extending between thefront and the back, the second panel being generally parallel with thefirst panel; a third panel spaced a second distance from the secondpanel so the second panel is interposed between the first and the thirdpanels, the third panel extending upward from the base toward the topand extending between the front and the back, the third panel beinggenerally parallel with the first panel; a display space defined betweenthe second panel and third panel, between the base and the top, andbetween the front and the back, the display space being adapted toreceive and display a video display device; a door extending between thebase and the top, the door being connected with the top in slidingengagement whereby the door slides between a first position in which afirst edge of the door is adjacent the second panel and the door extendsfrom the first edge adjacent the second panel to an opposite second edgetoward the third panel and a second position in which the second edge ofthe door is adjacent the second panel and the door extends from thesecond panel toward the first panel.
 2. The display cabinet defined inclaim 1 wherein at least one of the first, the second, and the thirdpanels supports the top.
 3. The display cabinet defined in claim 1wherein the cabinet further includes a fourth panel spaced a thirddistance from the third panel so the third panel is interposed betweenthe first and the fourth panels, extending upward from the base towardthe top, and extending between the front and the back, the fourth panelbeing generally parallel with the first panel.
 4. The display cabinetdefined in claim 3 wherein the cabinet further includes a second doorextending between the base and the top, the door being connected withthe top in sliding engagement whereby the door slides between a firstposition in which a first edge of the door is adjacent the third paneland the door extends from the first edge adjacent the third panel to anopposite second edge toward the second panel and a second position inwhich the second edge of the door is adjacent the third panel and thedoor extends from the third panel toward the fourth panel.
 5. Thedisplay cabinet defined in claim 4 wherein the second distance is a sumof the first and the third distances.
 6. The display cabinet defined inclaim 5 wherein the first and the third distances are equal.
 7. Thedisplay cabinet defined in claim 6 wherein the display space isconcealed by the first and the second doors when the first and thesecond doors are in their respective first positions, with the firstdoor extending from the second panel to the second door and the seconddoor extending from the third panel to the first door.
 8. The displaycabinet defined in claim 4 wherein the first and the third distances areequal.
 9. The display cabinet defined in claim 4 wherein the first doorsecond edge abuts the second door second edge and the display space isconcealed by the first and the second doors when the first and thesecond doors are in their respective first positions.
 10. The displaycabinet defined in claim 4 wherein the base is supported above a floorby a storage cabinet.
 11. The display cabinet defined in claim 10wherein at least a portion of the storage cabinet is adapted to house asound radiating speaker device.
 12. The display cabinet defined in claim10 wherein at least a portion of the storage cabinet is adapted to houseaudio equipment and video equipment and the storage cabinet is providedwith an equipment control signal repeater.
 13. A display cabinet that isadapted to house a video display device, the cabinet having a front andan opposing back, having a left side and an opposing right side, andhaving at least three modular sections from the left side to the rightside, the cabinet comprising: a base; a top spaced above the base, thetop being generally aligned with the base; a left side panel extendingupward from the base toward the top and extending between the front andthe back; a second panel spaced a modular distance from the left sidepanel, extending upward from the base toward the top, and extendingbetween the front and the back, the second panel being generallyparallel with the left side panel; a left modular section of one modulardistance wide being defined by the left side panel and the first panel;a third panel spaced two modular distances from the first panel so thefirst panel is interposed between the left side panel and the secondpanel, the third panel extending upward from the base toward the top andextending between the front and the back, the third panel beinggenerally parallel with the left side panel; a center modular section oftwo modular distances being defined by the first panel and the secondpanel; a right side panel spaced a modular distance from the third panelso the third panel is interposed between the left and the right sidepanels, the right side panel extending upward from the base toward thetop and extending between the front and the back, the right side panelbeing generally parallel with the left side panel; a right modularsection of one modular distance being defined by the second panel andthe right side panel; a display space defined in the center modularsection, between the first and the second panels, between the base andthe top, and between the front and the back, the display space beingadapted to receive and display a video display device; a first doorextending between the base and the top, having a width of about onemodular distance, and being connected with the top in sliding engagementwhereby the first door slides between a center position in which a firstedge of the door is adjacent the second panel and the door extends fromthe first edge adjacent the second panel to an opposite second edgetoward the third panel and a side position in which the second edge ofthe door is adjacent the first panel, in which the door extends from thesecond panel to the left side panel, and in which the left modularsection is concealed by the first door; a second door extending betweenthe base and the top, having a width of about one modular distance, andbeing connected with the top in sliding engagement whereby the seconddoor slides between a center position in which a first edge of the dooris adjacent the third panel and the door extends from the first edgeadjacent the third panel to an opposite second edge toward the firstpanel and a side position in which the second edge of the door isadjacent the third panel, in which the door extends from the secondpanel to the right side panel, and in which the right modular section isconcealed by the second door, the first and the second doors concealingthe display space in their respective first positions.
 14. The displaycabinet defined in claim 13 wherein the base is supported above a floorby a storage cabinet.
 15. The display cabinet defined in claim 14wherein at least a portion of the storage cabinet is adapted to house asound radiating speaker device.
 16. The display cabinet defined in claim14 wherein at least a portion of the storage cabinet is adapted to houseaudio equipment and video equipment and the storage cabinet is providedwith an equipment control signal repeater.
 17. A display cabinet that isadapted to house a video display device, the cabinet having a front andan opposing back, having a left side and an opposing right side, thecabinet comprising: a base; a top spaced above the base, the top beinggenerally aligned with the base; a left side panel extending upward fromthe base toward the top and extending between the front and the back; asecond panel spaced a modular distance from the left side panel,extending upward from the base toward the top, and extending between thefront and the back, the second panel being generally parallel with theleft side panel; a left modular section of one modular distance widebeing defined by the left side panel and the first panel; a third panelspaced two modular distances from the first panel so the first panel isinterposed between the left side panel and the second panel, the thirdpanel extending upward from the base toward the top and extendingbetween the front and the back, the third panel being generally parallelwith the left side panel; a center modular section of two modulardistances being defined by the first panel and the second panel; a rightside panel spaced a modular distance from the third panel so the thirdpanel is interposed between the left and the right side panels, theright side panel extending upward from the base toward the top andextending between the front and the back, the right side panel beinggenerally parallel with the left side panel; a right modular section ofone modular distance being defined by the second panel and the rightside panel; a display space defined in the center modular section,between the first and the second panels, between the base and the top,and between the front and the back, the display space being adapted toreceive and display a video display device; a first door extendingbetween the base and the top and being connected in sliding engagementwith one of the top and the base, the first door sliding between acenter position and a side position, the door has a first edge flushwith the second panel on a side of the second panel that faces the leftside panel and the door extends from the first edge toward the thirdpanel to an opposite second edge when the door is in the centerposition, the second edge of the door is flush with the second panel ona side of the second panel that faces the third panel and the doorextends from the second panel to the left side panel whereby the leftmodular section is concealed by the first door when the door is in theside position; a second door extending between the base and the top andbeing connected in sliding engagement with one of the top and the base,the second door sliding between a center position and a side position,the door has a first edge flush with the third panel on a side of thethird panel that faces the right side panel and the door extends fromthe first edge toward the second panel to an opposite second edge whenthe door is in the center position, the second edge of the door is flushwith the third panel on a side of the third panel that faces the secondpanel and the door extends from the third panel to the right side panelwhereby the right modular section is concealed by the second door whenthe door is in the side position.
 18. The display cabinet defined inclaim 17 wherein the base is supported above a floor by a storagecabinet.
 19. The display cabinet defined in claim 18 wherein at least aportion of the storage cabinet is adapted to house a sound radiatingspeaker device.
 20. The display cabinet defined in claim 18 wherein atleast a portion of the storage cabinet is adapted to house audioequipment and video equipment and the storage cabinet is provided withan equipment control signal repeater.